Expansible cop holder



H. H. RAYMOND ETAL EXPANSIBLE coP-HQLDER Filed Oct. 29, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l oct. 27,- 1942.

H. H. RAYMQND ETAL 2,299,848

EXPANSIBLE COP-HOLDER Filed Oct. 29 1940 A 2 Sheets--Shet 2 l-I 'Of Fig. 2;

Patentedoct. 27, 1942 EXPANSIBLE COP HDLDER.

Horace II. Raymond, Berlin, Conn., and Royal Little, Providence, R. I., assignors to Atlantic Rayon Corporation, Providence, poration of Rhode Island A R. I., a cor- Appiication oember 29, 1940, serial No. 363,272 1o claims. iol. 242-12) This invention relates to expansible mandrels or cop-holders for supporting packages of yarn, thread and thelike in winding the same on a central core. i

The present improved mandrel or packageholder is especially adapted for use with twisting frames, winding machines and like textile apparatus in whichvthe yarn or other material is wound Von a ber or paper tube forming the core of the package.

One object of the present invention is toprovide an expansible mandrel of the type indicated adapted to grip the paper cop-tube securely thereon for rotation with the mandrel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cop-holder of the type indicatedhaving convenient means for expanding and contracting the periphery of the mandrel so that the tube may be readily placed thereon and the tube and wound package removed therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide an expansible cop-tube holder or mandrel having its periphery expansible by means of a keylike lever which is locked to the mandrel when the latter is contracted and free to be removed therefrom when the mandrelis expanded.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mandrel or cop-holder having means providing for a concentric disposition of its periphery when expanded.

Further objects of the improvement are to provvide a device of the type indicated which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and efficient in use for the purposes' intended.

A preferred embodiment of the invention, t o,

gether with a modiiiedvform of construction of the cop-holder or mandrel, are described in the following specification, by way of example, and

illustrated by-'the accompanying drawings. In

the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view of the present improved cop-holder Aor mandrel represented as support-` same taken through the axis of the holder;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the holder or mandrel;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view Fig. 5 is a view of the end o'f the holder opposite from that shown in Fig.` 3;

Fig'. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the `holder showing the key-expander locked in place with the periphery of the `holder contracted to adapt it to receive the4 cop-tube;

of the holder on line Fig. 7 is an end view of the holder corresponding to the showing in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view of the holder on line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view of the holder on line 9'9 of Fig. 6;

Fig. l0 is a perspective view of the key-lever for expanding the holder;

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of a holder of modified form of construction; and

Figs. l2 and 13 are detailed views of the same.

As herein illustrated the invention is in the form of a mandrel or holder for paper or ber cop-tubes of a diameter relatively large in proportion to their length. Such tubes are employed for winding cops or packages of cotton, silk and rayon yarn in twisting it from supply bobbins or the like with the packages driven by surface contact with a driveroll or drum.` For this purpose the mandrel or cop-tube is provided with gudgeons at its ends adapted to seat in the sockets of a fork-like arm or bracket, not shown, the arm being eitherstationary or insome instances pivoted to swing to permit the mandrel to move away from the drive-roll as the yarn is built up on the cop-tube supported by the mandrel.

In a preferred form of construction, shownin Figs. 1 to 10, inclusive, the mandrel 2 comprises spaced end-heads 3 and 4 having hubs 5 secured fast on an axial spindle 6. g The end-heads 3 and 4 may be constructed as castings or formed from sheet-,metal and the hub 5 of each head has a drive fit on a` knurled or scored portion 8 of the axial shaft or spindle 6 to connect the ,heads rotatably therewith. The spindle 6 is formed I spindle. The head 3 is recessed or cupped to form an annular flange il terminating at the outside in a radial flange or rim I4; The opposite head 4 is provided with a somewhat thicker annular ange l5 which is extended in a beveled or inclined rim I6 whereof to form a V-shaped groove il which is adapted for a purpose as later explained. 1

Surrounding the annular flanges Il and I5 on the heads v3 and 4 is an expansible sleeve or shell 20 constructed of relatively thin sheetmetal and forming the peripheral expansion element of the mandrel. The periphery of the i y tubular shell 20 is interrupted by a longitudi`v`.f,=V nally-extending slit or opening formed by the 4 terminal portions of the sheet-metal which are bent or looped around to provide two parallel inwardly-extending straight extensions 2|. The greater portion of the sleeve or shell 28 is thus rendered free to expand radially by separating its terminal portions 2|, that is the sides of its slit portion; it being noted by reference to Fig. 2 that the straight portions 2| are somewhat shorter than the full length of the shell to adapt them to clear the sides of the heads 3 and* 4. At a point opposite from the terminal portions 2l the sleeve or shell 28 is secured fast to the rims of the end-heads 3gand 4. In order that the shell 2|) when expanded shall be concentric with the axis of the mandrel, that portion 35 is of novelconstruction comprising Aa tubular.

which is made fast to the flanges and l5 is i spaced therefrom by means of an arcuate spacer or filler-strip 23 underlying the shell and extending across between the two heads, see Figs. 2 and 4. As before indicated, the sleeve 20 rests upon and is supported by this filler-strip l5, being secured to the flanges Il and l5 by means of rivets 24 and 25 extending through the fillerstrip. It will be understood, therefore, that when the shell is contracted as shown in Figs. 7 to 9, inclusive, due to its inherent resiliency, the sides of its split portion will be drawn inwardly toward the periphery of the flanges Il and I5; while, on the other hand, when the shell is expanded, as indicated in Figs. 4 and 5, its inner circumference will be spaced away from the flanges in the form of a true circle or, ln other words, concentric with the axis of the mandrel.

The means for expanding the sleeve or shell 20 comprises a rotatable element 26 preferably in the form of a flat strip or bar having rounded or arcuate edges adapted to engage against the flat terminal portions 2| of the shell. The ends of the expansion member 26 are mounted to rotate in circular holes 2l in the heads 3 and 4, being heldfrom longitudinal displacement by means of ears or lugs 28 projecting from its sides. As shown in Fig. 6, the lugs 28 may be formed by striking them up from the metal of the member or by providing them in any other suitable manner. Washers 29 are located between the lugs 28 and the sides of the end-heads 3 and 4 to provide for free rotative movement of the member 26. The member 26 is thus adapted to be rotated to cause its rounded edges to slide on the inwardly-projecting portions 2| of the sleeve or shell 20 to cam them apart in the manner indicated in Figs. 4 and 5. To retain the expansion member 26 in this operative relationship a detent spring 30 is provided on the inside of the flange i5 of the head 4 with itsend extending thereacross in a straight pprtion 3| adapted to bear against the flat side of the member 26 to restrain it against unwarranted turning after it has been operated to expand the sleeve 20. The spring 30 is curved to conform to the inner face of the flange |5 and is secured thereto by means of the rivets which fasten the end of the sleeve and the filler-strip 23 to the flange, see Figs. 2 and 5.

The expansion member 26 is adapted to be operated by means of a key-lever 35, shown in perspective view in Fig. 10, having its end shaped to engage the end of the member 26 which projects through the side of the head 3. Attached to the outer face of the head 3 is a loop-shaped or box-like housing 36 fastened thereto by means of rivets 31, see Figs. 2 and 3, and provided in its outer portion with a rectangular opening 33 through which the key 35 is inserted. The key shank 33 of rectangular shape in cross-section with a finger-piece 40 let into a slot in its outer end and secured thereto by welding or riveting. 'Ihe open end of the shank 33 of the key 35 is `of a size to adapt it to freely fit onto the projecting end of the expansion member 26 by inserting it through the rectangular opening 36 in the housing 36, it being noted by reference to Fig. 2 that this end of the element 26 is rounded on its edges and projects outwardly slightly beyond the opening to render it convenient to apply the key thereto. It will be noted also that the end of the shank 36 of the key 35 is somewhat beveled on its edges so as to assist in entering it through the slot 33 in the housing 36. Cut into the sides of the shank 39 of the key 35 are two opposite slots 4| which permit the key to be turned to partially rotate the element 26 in effecting expansion or contraction of the sleeve or shell 26.

Referring particularly to Figs. 6 and 7, it will be observed that when the key 35 is turned into position to permit contraction of the sleeve or shell 28 the sides of the slot 33 in the housing member 36 engage into the slots 4| in the sides of the key, thereby locking the key to the holder to prevent its removal therefrom until the expansion element 26 is turned to the opposite position to cause expansion of the shell. In other words, the key 35 remains locked to the mandrel or cop-holder at all times when the latter is contracted and can be removed only after the sleeve 28 has been expanded. By this arrangement the key serves as a precautionary measure against seating the mandrel or cop-holder in its bearings` before it has been expanded to grip the cop-tube in place thereon. Likewise, there is less liability of the key being lost or misplaced when the cop-holder is removed from its bearings since it remains locked to the mandrel in convenient position to be operated again when a fresh tube is placed thereon. As a further advantage, the key 35 serves as a convenient handle for holding the mandrel when placing the coptube thereon or removing the tube and wound package therefrom.

Preferably, the expansion member 26 is controlled in its rotation so that it can be turned through an angle of ninety degrees only. that is from the position shown in Figs. 3 to 5 to that shown in Figs. 7 to 9. One-limiting means for this control of the member 26 is in the form of an eccentric or cam-shaped washer or disk 42. The washer or disk 42 is fitted to the projecting end of the element 26 and confined Within the looped housingmemberA 36. The periphery of the disk 42 is of generally circular shape except that it has two somewhat flattend faces 43 and 44 at its rim. These faces are shaped on a flatter arc than the main rim of the disk, that is on a radius struck from the axis of the mandrel so that they may engage and slide across the inner concentric face of the flange on the head 3. 'I'he main portion of the circular rim of the disk 42 between the attened faces 43 and 44 is of a diameter sufficiently large to prevent the rotation of the disk beyond either of the flattended faces. By the provision of this eccentric disk 42 the rotative motion of the expansion member 26 is limited to an angle vof ninety degrees, that is it may be turned from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 7 in one direction only and back againin the opposite direction while being restrained from a complete rotation. This arrangement provides for `the larger bore. resilient thrust-bearing for centering the manmore convenient manual operation of the expansion means of the mandrel.

Fig. l1 shows a slightly modiiied form of construction of the mandrel or cop-holder as having project tr `ough axial holes in the disks 53 and 54 and sv ged or riveted over to secure the-disks in place. The gudgeons for supporting the mandrel rotatively may be Vconstructed as pins or pintles 56 and 53 formed with reduced shanks 66 driven into bores in the ends of the hub 55 and provided with knurled portions 6| for keying them therewith. The outer end of one of the gudgeons 56 is bored axially to receive a ball62 pressed outwardly by means of a helical .spring 63 pocketed in a smaller bore 64, the ball being held in place by swaging over the outer rim of This construction provides a drel in its bearing sockets. In other instances the mandrelor cop-holder may be mounted rotatably on its axial shaft for use in windingvmachines requiring such 4a form of construction.

Fig. 11 further illustrates a modiiied form of construction of the means for locking the ex pansion member 26 from turning after the'sleeve or shell 26 has been expanded and also the means for limiting the turning movement of said ex-.` 4 pansion member. formed by a single element 65 of substantially These two functions are perrectangular shape, as illustrated most clearly in Fig. 13, which is provided with a central opening for mounting it on the end of the expansion member 26 within the interior of the housingmember `36. The element 65 has lateral flanges 66 folded up from its longer sides and adapted to'engage through the rectangular opening 36 in the member 36- when' the member 26 is turned to the position shown in Figs. 11 and 12. A spiral spring 6 6 is arranged between the rearward side of the element 65 and the outer face of the'enddisk 53 with its larger end surrounding the bearing opening 21 in saidk disk. One end of the element 65 is formed with prongs 63 and Il adapted to strike against the inner rim of the flange il on the disk 53 to limit the turning movement of the expansion member 26 in opposite deirctions, see Figs. 12 and 13.

Whenthe expansion member position illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12 with the mandrel expanded the key 35 can be placed on turning the key 35 in clockwise direction theexpansion member 26 will be rotated through an arc of ninety degrees to the position shown in Fig. 12 with the prong 66 bringing up against the inner rim vof the ange Il on the disk 53 to prevent further turning movement of the expansion member. Likewise, the key 35 may be turned in counter-clockwise direction to expand the sleeve 26 with this form of construction, its turning motionbeing limited bythe engagement of the prong 16 with the inner rim ofthe ilange Il. T he turning of the member 26 in either direction causes its rounded edges to pry against the terminal portions 2l of the sleeve 26 `to expand the latter to securely grip the cop-tube T forrotation with the mandrel. The turning 'of 2s returned to the the end of the expansion member and pushed through the opening 36 in the housing 36 a suf- Y iicient distance to allow it to be turned to con- 1 tract the sleeve 26. The entranceof the shank 33 of the key 35 through the opening 36 acts to force the element `65 rearwardly on`the member 26 and when the keyhas been inserted a sufiicient distance it can be turned in counterclockwise Adirection with the edges of the opening 36 engaging the slots '4| in the shank of thekey. Such turning of lthe key 35 will rotate themember 26 through an arc of ninety degrees into the position shown in Fig. 13. As the member 26 is turned to this position, illustrated in Fig. 13, its arcuate edges are released from the terminal portions 2| of the sleeve 26 to permit the latter `to contract under the inuence of its inherent resiliency and the key 35 is locked to the mandrel by the engagement of the edgesof theV opening 36 in the housing member 36 with the slots 4l` in the shank of the key. The cop-tube T can then be slid onto the periphery of the mandrel the key 35 will also aline its rectangular shank 33 with the opening 36 in the housing 36 to permit the key to be detached .from the mandrel and as its shank is withdrawn from the opening 36 the spring 66 will slide the locking element 65 outwardly on the end of the member 26 to en-` gage its iianges 66 through the opening 36. The flanges 66 when thus engaged with the edges of the opening 36 will` prevent unwarranted turning movement of the memberl 26 While the sleeve 26 is expanded to grip the cop-tube T. It has been found that this latter -preferred form of cori-- struction of the means for controlling the turning motion of the expansion member 26 and locking it in position with the Ashell 26 of the mandrel expanded provides a more positive action of the expansion means and insures against release of the tube by accidental or-unwarranted contraction of the sleeve 26. I

The first' described form of construction of the invention operates in substantially the same manner as above explained. Assuming that the outer sleeve or shell 26 of the mandrel is in its contracted relationship, as indicated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the paper or iiber cop-tube T is slid over its exterior in the manner indicated in Fig. 6 until its end abuts the radial flange I4 on the head 3. In contracting the shell 26 of the mandrel the shank 33 of the key 35 yhas been inserted through rounded edges of said member to ride against the terminal portions 2| of the sleeve 26 to cam them apart and thus expand the sleeve in the manner indicated in Figs. 4 and 5.l This turning movement' of the expansion member 26 is limited by the rotation of the. disk 42, shown in Figs. 2, 3

and 7, to cause its slightly flattened face 43 tov move from the position shown in Fig. 'I to that illustratedy in Fig. 3.

With either form ofconstruction the expansion of the sleeve or shell 26 will cause it to bind iirmly against the interior wan of the cop-tube T while adjusting itself concentrically with the axis ofthe mandrel.V The cop-tube T is thus rrnly gripped and held concentric with the axis of the mandrel.

to receive the yarn or other strand material to be wound thereon. The key 35', when locked in connection with the mandrel, may be used as a handle to place the cop-tube on the mandrel or to remove the tube and wound package therefrom `into the position shown m Fig. 11 and then by In case the operator has neglected to expand the mandrel to a 'suilicient extent to grip the tube '1' the key will remain locked to the end of the mandrel so that the latter cannot rotate when placed in its bearings. It will be observed therefore, that the key serves as a precautionary 'measure against neglect to expand the mandrel in preparing it for operation.

Usually, in winding packages of textile materials the rst end of the yarn is wound around the flange I6 at the end of the mandrel in the V-shaped groove I1. This provides a reserve length or tail" of yarn which may be used for splicing one package to another when the yarn is delivered as a supply and the packages magazined on a creel or other support. The length of yarn wound in the groove l1 in the flange I'6 serves to bind it to the holder so that when the latter is rotated with the cop-tube T the yarn will be wound therearound to build it up in a cop or package such as indicated at P in Fig. 1.

It will be observed from the foregoing specification that the present invention provides a novel and ingenious construction of expansible mandrel or cop-holder which is most convenient to operate and highly Aeiiicient Ain use for the purposes intended. In addition, the present improved structure provides a holder of rugged construction, and proof against derangement or getting out of order.

While the invention is described and illustrated herein as embodied in one preferred form of construction with a modiiied form also shown, it is to be understood that various further modifications may be made in the structure and arrangement of the parts of the device without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting ourselves in this respect, we claim:

1. A mandrel or cop-holder comprising a supporting structure, means expansible on the periphery of said structure to grip the cop-tube,

a' rotatable expansion member for operating said Y prising a supporting structure, a cylindrical sleeve supported from said structure and split longitudinally to provide for its expansion and contraction circumferentially, an expansion member rotatable between the sides of the split portion of f supported from said structure and split longitudinally to adapt it to be expanded and contracted circumferentially, an expansion member engaging the split portion of the sleeve and rotatable to expand or contract the latter, and resilient means independent of the sleeve and acting directly on the expansion member to prevent turning of the latter beyond the extent required to fully expand the sleeve.

5. An expansible mandrel or cop-holder comprising a supporting structure, a substantially cylindrical sleeve supported from said structure and split longitudinally to adapt it to be expanded circumferentially, an expansion memberengageable with the sides of the split portion of the sleeve and rotatable to expand the latter, means engageable with said expansion member to turn -the latter, said expansion member having a fiat portion, and resilient means engageable with the iiat portion of the expansion member to limit the extent of turning movement of the expansion member beyond that required to expand the sleeve.

6. An expansible mandrel or cop-holder comprising a supporting structure having spacedapart end-heads, a cylindrical sleeve supported from said end-heads and s plit longitudinally to adapt it to be expandedor contracted circumferentially, "a rotatable Vexpansion member exyond one of the end-heads, a housing enclosing the end of the expansion member projecting bethe sleeve to expand .the latter, a removable key for turning the expansion member to expand or contract the sleeve, and means actuated by the removal of the key to positively lock the expansion member in position to maintain the sleeve expanded until the key is again applied thereto.

3. In an expansible mandrel or cop-holder, the combination of a supporting structure. a cylindrical sleeve supported from said structure and split longitudinally to adapt it to be expanded circumferentially, an expansion member engaging the split portion of the sleeve and rotatable to expand and contract the latter, a removable key engageable with said expansion member to turn the latter, and means on the" mandrel cooperating prising a supporting structure, a cylindrical sleeve yond the end-head, said housing having an elongate opening surrounding the expansion member, anda key shaped to engage over the end of the expansion mem. r and having notches adapted to be engaged by the edges of the housing surrounding the opening therein to lock the key to the mandrel when it is turned to effect contraction of the expansible sleeve.

7. An expansible mandrel or cop-holder comprising spaced-apart end-heads, a cylindrical sleeve of sheet-metal surrounding the periphery of the end-heads and split longitudinally to adapt it to be expanded and contracted circumferentially, the sides of the split portion of the sleeve being folded inwardly in opposed relationship to provide spaced substantially radial flanges, an expansion member rotatable in bearings in the end-heads and extending between the flanges of the `sleeve to adapt it to expand the latter, said member being formed with opposite fiat sides to adapt it to be turned to permit contraction ot the sleeve, and a spring secured to one of the endheads and having a portion extending across the end of the expansion member and adapted to engage the fiat side thereof to prevent self-rotative movement of the member after it is turned to expand the sleeve and the key is Withdrawn.

8. An expansible mandrel or cop-holder comprising a supporting structure, a cylindrical sleeve supported from said structure and split longitudinally to adapt it to be expanded circumferentially, a longitudinally extending expansion member mounted in the supporting structure and rotatable between the sides of the split portion of the sleeve to expand and contract the latter, said expansion member having one end projecting beyond the supporting structure, a housing member at one end of the mandrel having an opening surrounding the projecting end o'f the expansion member, and a key adapted to engage the end ol' the expansion member by inserting it through the opening in the housing member, said key being provided with slots in its sides for engaging with the housing at the sides oi the opening therein to lock the key in connection with the mandrel when it is turned to contract the sleeve.

9. A mandrel or cop-holder comprising a sula-` porting structure, an expansible sleeve supported from said structure, a longitudinally extending expansion member mounted to rotate in the supporting structure to expand the sleeve and having one end projecting therebeyond, a housing member at one end of the mandrel provided with an opening enclosing the projecting end of the expansion member, a locking element slidable on the projecting end of the expansion member and provided with means adapted to engage through the opening in the housing member when the expansion member is turned to position-to exhousing and engageable with the expansion member, said locking element being adapted tov be slid inwardly on the expansion member to re-` lease it fromV the opening in the housing member `by the insertion oi the key through said opening.

'10. An expansible mandrel or cop-holder com.-`

prising a supporting structure having spaced endheads, a cylindrical sleeve extending between said heads and supported thereby, said sleeve being split longitudinally to adapt it to expand and contract oircumferentially, an expansion member extending longitudinally'betwe'en the sides of the split portion of the sleeve and rotatably mounted in bearings in the end-heads, said expansion member having one endV projecting through one of the end-heads, a housing member secured to said last-mentioned end-head and formed with a rectangular opening enclosing the end of the expansion member projectingythrough said end` head, a locking element slidableon the end of the expansion member and formed with projectionsy adapted to engage the housing at the sides of the opening therein to locl the expansion member from turning movement when the latter is turned to expand the sleeve, a spring for sliding the locking element to engage its projections with said' y opening, and a key tted to engage the end of the expansion member and to enter through the' opening in the housing member to release the locking element from engagement therewith whereby to permit turning movement oi' the ex pension member to contract the sleeve. HORACE H. RAYMOND.

ROYAL LITTLE. 

